Dead Calf Found on Seventh Sweep of Udupi Animal Hoarder’s House of Horrors, 17 More Animals Rescued—PETA India Demands Ban on Keeping of Any Animals
Following persistent efforts by PETA India to ensure enforcement of multiple closure orders issued by the Saligrama Pattana Panchayat, the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), and the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate (DC & DM)—the Saligrama Pattana Panchayat, with PETA India’s assistance, conducted a seventh raid on 7 July at the premises of Mr B. Sudhindra Aithal’s misnamed “Animal Rescue Centre” in Saligrama, Udupi. This latest operation brings the total number of animals rescued from the facility to more than 350 across seven raids involving PETA India.
During the operation, officials discovered the rotting carcass of a calf who apparently died from neglect. The body had been kept hidden under a tin sheet, discarded near a pile of animal bones on the premises—a makeshift graveyard—underscoring the horrific conditions in which animals have been kept there, with many succumbing to the mistreatment. The same operation also led to the rescue of 17 surviving but sick and diseased animals—including four adult dogs, six puppies, six kittens, and one guinea pig.
The rescued animals were found confined in filthy, overcrowded, and inhumane conditions without adequate food, water, or veterinary care. They were found suffering from heavy tick infestations, untreated wounds, and showing signs of severely contagious and life-threatening diseases like canine distemper (CD) and parvovirus (parvo), highlighting the abuse and complete absence of proper care at the facility.
PETA India has also submitted a fresh complaint to the Kota Police Station seeking the registration of an FIR against Mr Aithal under the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
Despite repeated closure orders issued by multiple authorities and the registration of an FIR against him last year, Mr Aithal has continued to illegally keep animals in overcrowded, unsanitary, and unsafe conditions, resulting in immense suffering and death and a threat to public health. His continued disregard for the law and the welfare of the animals demonstrates a willful and deliberate pattern of non-compliance or a compulsion that warrants stringent legal action.
The total 350+ animals who have been rescued from this hoarder were all found severely dehydrated and weak, with viral infections, eye problems, injuries, parasitic infestations and covered in their own filth. Many were bone-thin and suffered from deadly contagious diseases like canine distemper, parvovirus and feline herpesvirus. The species removed includes dogs, cats, hamsters, love birds and wildlife such as cobras, civet cats, black kites, Indian parakeets, bonnet macaques and endangered species.
Mr Aithal, who operates this facility, has a well-documented history of repeatedly acquiring and confining wildlife and other animals in extremely unhygienic and inadequate conditions, despite multiple warnings, official notices, and orders. He also appeared to engage in wildlife trade and to breed and sell animals to the public.
On 8 January 2025, a raid was conducted by the Kundapura Forest Division, pursuant to which a Preliminary Offence Report (POR) was registered, based on directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka, following a complaint received from PETA India about illegal possession and sale of endangered native wildlife by Mr Aithal. The species mentioned above, protected under Schedules I and II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, were found in his illegal possession and kept in deplorable conditions during the January 8 raid. Despite a POR being registered in January, Mr Aithal was found in illegal possession of a cobra on 01 March 2025 and an Asian Koel with her two fledglings on 03 May 2025. Complaints regarding both instances of illegal possession of wildlife were made to the Kundapura Forest Division at the relevant time. These complaints are yet to be processed, and registration of POR is pending.
Based on the directions of the Superintendent of Police (SP), Udupi, Sri Hariram Shankar, IPS, an FIR (No. 0177 of 2025) was registered against Mr. Aithal at Kota Police Station on 7 October 2025 for repeatedly hoarding animals and subjecting them to cruelty, in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and all movable cages were confiscated.
Facilities that engage in the boarding, breeding, or selling of ‘pet’ animals are required to be registered with the state animal welfare board, as mandated under Rule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, framed under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
An order dated 26 May 2020 issued by the Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Karnataka, banned operations of unregistered dog breeding centres and pet shops in the state. Addressed to all district collectors and chairs of the district SPCAs, it mandates that all unregistered pet shops and dog breeding establishments not registered with the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) be banned from operating, in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.
